Word Origin & History

spice early 13c., from O.Fr. espice, from L.L. species (pl.) "spices, goods, wares," from L. "kind, sort" (see species). Early druggists recognized four "types" of spices: saffron, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg. Fig. sense of "slight touch or trace of something" is recorded from 1530s. The verb, "to season with spices" is first recorded early 14c. (implied in spiced). Spicy is from 1560s; in the fig. sense of "racy, salacious" it dates from 1844. Spice-cake first attested 1520s.

Example Sentences for spice

Take the liquor from the fire, and strain out the spice from it.

Vinegar and spice for pickles should be boiled but a few minutes.

Put them into stone jars, and prepare the spice and vinegar.

If you do not like onions, substitute for them a larger quantity of spice.

Spice may be ground in a mill kept, exclusively for that purpose.

The store smelled of spice, and the clerk that minute spilled some cinnamon.

But without variety, life has no spice, and monotony wearies the soul.

Boil some spice in a little water till the flavour is gained, then add an equal quantity of port, with sugar and nutmeg.

Scale and wash the fish, lard them with pieces of silver eel, rolled up in spice and sweet herbs, with bay leaves finely powdered.

To-night I may spice it up a little with modern middle-Europe scandal.